Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Feminism

In the UK, Feminism is a dirty word. It is a word that I think I actively avoid, and I would never have thought I would use it to define myself.

Yes, I wear DMs and have discovered I am incredibly passionate about lobbying and advocating for women's rights. But I have never burned my bra (they're really expensive!) and I don't hate men.

Being here at the UN's Commission on the Status of Women has really challenged my feelings about feminism. I have spoken to so many women who are passionate about making a genuine difference to the lives of girls and women around the world. They're not standing in the streets waving placards, burning their underwear and shouting about how women are better than men. Instead, they are talking to people, having incredible conversations about the practical things that we CAN do to empower girls and women to change the way that society views them (us!)

These are women who work on a daily basis to enable girls and women to feel equal and to become equal. Not just equal to men, but equal to one another.

I am starting to realise that, by seeing feminism as a "dirty word", I am perpetuating that stereotype. How are women ever going to be seen as equal when those of us who are fighting for that equality are stereotyping ourselves?!

I don't know that I'm quite ready to label myself as a "feminist" - it is still a word that makes me uncomfortable. But I am prepared to start thinking about my own definition of what this word means to me. Even if I don't outwardly define myself as a feminist, maybe with time I will come to accept that there is a little bit of a one somewhere inside of me.

"Let me just point out that if you believe in the strength of women, [...] you’re soaking in feminism. If you’re like Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy and want to explain that “I imagine I am if feminism means claiming one’s freedom. But I am not if it means being committed in an active way to the fight that some women are still leading today I admire their bravery a lot, but I have chosen to commit myself elsewhere,” you should know that “the fight” is just being an autonomous person in the world. And if you’re like Ms. Fenton and think feminism means being treated like “anyone else,” remember that there aren’t a whole lot of “anyone else” options out there. You’re basically admitting that masculinity is the norm and that all we can do is aspire toward some kind of equitable footing in a man’s world. This sounds like a job for … feminism!"

About Me

A perpetual student trying to navigate my way through the complicated world of being an adult.
Amateur blogger writing about food, travelling, and living with complicated dietary requirements. All views are my own.